Skip to content

Council considers tax for complex

A $26 tax increase could turn into a $54 increase for the typical Pelham taxpayer to run the town in 2015. Town council Monday, in its budget review committee meeting, recommended a $10 million operating budget to council. It is a 2.
voting
Mayoral candidates debate October 8, 2014. The winner will be Pelham’s Mayor for 2014-2018

A $26 tax increase could turn into a $54 increase for the typical Pelham taxpayer to run the town in 2015.

Town council Monday, in its budget review committee meeting, recommended a $10 million operating budget to council. It is a 2.45% increase over 2014.

It calls for a $26 tax increase for a residential home with an average assessment of $302,815, said treasurer Cari Pupo.

Councillors attached an amendment asking town staff for a report on how to apply an annual tax increase to cover future capital projects.

They had in mind a $26 million-plus community centre complex and a $1 million Maple Acre library addition.

Coun. Gary Accursi suggested a 2% escalating tax that would add 2% a year to offset future capital expenses.

Pupo said adding 2% to her recommended 1% increase would add $54 to Pelham’s portion of the average residential tax bill for 2015.

The town’s share of a homeowner’s tax bill is about 33%. Niagara Region takes about 50% and education about 17%.

Regional and school budget figures are not expected until May. That’s when Pupo said she will recommend the final tax rate for 2015.

Accursi said an annual tax for a capital reserve fund would spread out the effect on the taxpayer.

Coun. Peter Papp said it would avoid bringing in a big increase in one year when it comes time to build something like a major community complex.

Mayor Dave Augustyn call a centre an “if and when” matter.

“It is still a big ‘if’” he said. “Council has not said it will build it. There are a lot of moving parts.”

The town has an advisory committee working with an architect to design a multi-purpose  centre. Once designed, council hopes to get funding from future federal and provincial infrastructure programs as well as private sponsorships.

Wherever funding comes from, the town will have to pay for a share of a project. A capital reserve would help with that funding it and lower the amount to debenture.

The operating budget recommended Monday also covers staff salaries.

The treasurer in her presentation listed the town staffing complement. The operating budget calls for the addition of three new staff to raise the town’s full-time staff to 61 from 58.

The newest staff members are a building intake technician and two equipment operators.  A human resources director was added earlier this year.

Over the past five years, Pelham’s operating budget increases have averaged 2.20% said the treasurer in her report.